The Wallabies booked their second finals berth in as many Rugby World Cups with a 22 – 10 win over the All Blacks in front of a capacity crowd at Sydney’s Telstra Stadium tonight.
It's the fourth time a host nation has made it through to the final.
Bustling defence and domination of the line out and set pieces denied the All Blacks any rhythm in attack.
The defending champions led 13-7 at the break courtesy of a try to centre Stirling Mortlock and 8 points from the boot of Elton Flatley.
Three second half penalties from Flatley to Leon MacDonald’s one, secured the Wallabies passage to the final.
Wallaby fly half Stephen Larkham and Mortlock created plenty of headaches for the All Blacks defence throughout the match with clever angled running.
In contrast, the Wallabies miserly defence led admirable by flankers George Smith and Phil Waugh starved the All Blacks back line of much needed attacking opportunities.
Australian captain George Gregan said prior to the match that the Wallabies won’t win the match in the first 20 minutes but they could lose it.
The world’s most capped scrum half should have been happy with his side’s first twenty minutes.
The much-anticipated Wallabies expansive running game unfolded in the first minute with the Wallabies spreading it wide from the first play.
First, inside centre Elton Flatley broke the line in the second minute, then it was Stirling Mortlock’s turn but the Australian centre was called back after Wallabies No. 2 Brendan Cannon was penalised for blocking All Blacks fly half Carlos Spencer.
Anxious moment
Australia survived an anxious moment early when the All Blacks sent the ball quickly to the right flank but a Lote Tuqiri covering tackle forced a Mils Muliaina knock on in goal.
Moments later Mortlock intercepted a Spencer pass and raced the full length of the field to score. Flatley easily converted to give the Wallabies a 7-0 lead after 10 minutes.
All Blacks number 8 Jerry Collins and Ali Williams pulled of some big hits early, Collins earning the ire of English referee Chris White with a high shot on Wallabies second rower Nathan Sharpe in the 22nd minute.
Two Flatley penalty goals extended the Wallabies lead to 13-0. MacDonald missed with two penalty goal attempts.
All Blacks hit back
Australia paid dearly for a simple turnover just before the break, All Blacks skipper Reuben Thorne crossing for a converted try after a Larkham mistake.
Bustling defence from the defending champions didn’t allow the All Blacks to find any rhythm in attack in the first half, while Larkham and Mortlock have created plenty of headaches for the All Blacks defence with clever angled running.
Australia also dominated the line out and the set pieces to control the game at the break.
Another good start
Australia began the second half as they did the first running with ball in hand, Mortlock again finding space in the opening phases before a Flatley penalty extended Australia’s lead to nine in the 42nd minute.
The Wallabies then had to defend grimly as the All Blacks put several good attacking phases together but were unable to cross the Wallabies line.
Flatley’s fourth penalty goal from as many attempts gave Australia a 19-7 lead after 52 minutes. MacDonald quickly responded with a penalty goal of his own to reduce the lead to nine.
On the hour Flatley’s deadly accurate boot gave Australia a 12 point lead after the All Blacks were penalised in front of their own goal posts.
Australia suffered a late blow with Mortlock limping from the field with nine minutes on the clock.
Scores
Australia 22
Tries: Mortlock
Conversions: Flatley (1)
Penalties: Flatley (5)
Defeated
New Zealand 10
Tries: Thorne
Conversions: MacDonald (1)
Penalties: MacDonald (1)